A Devon MP has told nurses he is “delighted” they will get a small pay rise despite voting against a motion to lift the public sector pay cap earlier this year.

Torridge and West Devon MP Geoffrey Cox met with representatives from the Royal College of Nursing on Friday to discuss current pay and conditions for nurses within the NHS.

Geoffrey Cox said: “I was delighted to meet with Ann-Marie and Deborah to discuss with them the contribution that nurses make to the NHS and the particular issues faced by nurses in our very rural community. They raised with me the specific issue of nurse pay and I am pleased to confirm that the Government will instruct an independent pay review body to enable them to recommend pay rises higher than the 1% cap next year.”

Geoffrey Cox and his wife Jeanie after he retained his seat in the 2015 General Election.

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The Government has announced there will no longer be an across-the-board policy of 1% basic pay awards. It will look to independent pay review bodies to deliver a settlement which the Government says will balance the needs for affordability for taxpayers, improved retention for the system and a fair reward for staff.

The MP also accepted Ms Stanley and Ms Luker’s invitation to become a #nursingchampion. As a #nursingchampion, Geoffrey will be an advocate for the local nursing community, maintaining regular contact with the nurses in his constituency and representing their views in Parliament.

Mr Cox’s opinion on fair rewards for nurses must have shifted since Labour put a motion before parliament to lift the public sector pay cap back in June.

When Labour tabled an amendment to the Queen’s Speech seeking to improve pay for public sector workers, like nurses, Mr Cox voted with his party against the amendment.

Torridge and West Devon MP Geoffrey Cox

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Conservative MPs in Devon voted against the amendment for political reasons.

Plymouth Moor View MP Johnny Mercer told the Guardian at the time: “I will persistently be a loud voice to remove public sector pay cap for frontline workers. But will not vote with this political game today.”

South West Devon MP Gary Street said: “To vote for Labour amendment would usher in either general election or Corbyn government. Why is there even speculation? UK needs stability.”